TWENTY students and two staff members from The Hamilton and Alexandra College (THAC) were rescued from a burning boat off Queenscliff on Thursday morning after a suspected engine fire.

THAC acting principal, Kristen Waldron reported that the group consisting of Year 8 and 9 students had been on a two-day outdoor education camp, where the boat engine started smoking at around 8.30am.

“(Thursday) morning, twenty students and two staff members were on board a snorkelling boat when the engine stopped working and a small amount of smoke was detected,” she said.

“As a precautionary measure, action was taken immediately to have all passengers calmly evacuated onto the Queenscliff-Sorrento Ferry.

“A Parks Victoria Marine Patrol vessel also attended.”

Miss Waldron also said that there were no reported injuries from the incident and expressed her gratitude to everyone who helped ensure the safety of all on board.

“All students and staff of The Hamilton and Alexandra College are safe and unharmed, and the school wishes to thank the local organisations involved for their support,” she said.

THAC said that all parents were contacted individually on Thursday morning about the incident, and that students had safely returned back to Hamilton by bus that evening.

It was reported that the fire was not being treated as suspicious, however police have said an investigation was still underway.